And Then There Were None

The Rhode Island Stage Ensemble (RISE) has brought the classic Agatha Christie mystery "And Then There Were None" to life in an inspired fashion. The performances are sparkling and the story's twists and turns captivate up until the shocking climax.

The Christie formula is always the same: a group of people with outsize personalities and scandalous secrets all gather at an exotic location for a party, only to fall victim to a murderer.

This time, the unlucky guests are in a seaside mansion on a deserted island.

The first arrivals, Captain Philip Lombard (Padraig Mahoney) and his secretary Vera Claythorne (Samantha Acampora), are greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Rogers (Galen Auer and Natania Perlman), the butler and the cook.

Wilhelmina Blore (Bethany Whitehead), a former police inspector; Emily Brent (Rose Linnell), an elderly and judgmental spinster; the sophisticated Dame Lillian Wargrave (Rebecca Tung), a retired judge; the somewhat demented General MacKenzie (Geoff White), a World War One hero; and the weasely Dr. Armstrong (Dave Brunell), a "nerve specialist."

Their unseen host, U.N. Owen, records a phonograph message informing them of their impending punishment for their past crimes.

Lombard, a soldier of fortune, has been accused of causing the deaths of a number of East African tribesmen, after stealing their food and leaving them in the jungle. Claythorne's job as a governess was ended by the death of her charge, Cyril Hamilton. Claythorne let the boy drown so his uncle Hugo Hamilton could inherit the family estate and marry her. Of course, that didn't work out as intended.

Abigail Marston (Emily Partington) killed two young children after driving recklessly. Marston, who felt no remorse and took no responsibility for her actions, dies from drinking alcohol laced with cyanide.

Soon after, more of the guests meet bizarre and gruesome ends, all in keeping with a nursery rhyme which hangs over the fireplace. With each death, a figurine vanishes from the mantel.

The tension mounts as the guests become increasingly suspicious of each other and wonder who will die next. I will not disclose the identity of the murderer, but if you pay close attention, it won't be too difficult to figure out.

White has a blast depicting MacKenzie's madness as he shuffles across the stage, longing for his dead wife and promising everyone is going to die. It's an amusing performance.

Mahoney skillfully fires off some witty jokes as Lombard and Acampora does an effective job of capturing Vera's hysteria and guilt.

Director Michael Ferron ratchets up the suspense and creates an unsettling atmosphere, aided tremendously by the lavish set design and lighting and sound effects.

"And Then There Were None" accomplishes what it sets out to do: provide a rollercoaster of thrills and chills while keeping the audience guessing who is murdering all these strange people.

It's a fun show that will please Agatha Christie fans and non-fans alike.

"And Then There Were None" runs through September 23. The RISE Playhouse. 142 Clinton St. Woonsocket. For tickets, go to RIStage.org.